BSLS: Your Mental Health Matters

In This Newsletter:

• Stay Connected With BSLS

• A Note from our Founder:

• What We’ve Been Up To:

• Chapter of The Month:

• Don’t Forget:

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A Note from our Founder:

May is Mental Health Awareness month, and it has served as a strong reminder to us just how much our community makes a difference in the lives of our members!

Positive mental health often comes from feelings of support and the comfort of knowing that you have somewhere safe to land. Out of all parts of our mission, this is the most important to fulfill through the sisterhood that is created in the bonds of each of our chapters.

As we look forward at the second half of the year, we know that we will continue to fulfill that mission through events and programs for our members. That includes the upcoming launch of the latest iteration of the Hear Our Voice program, our Sweet 16 (you can learn more about that below) in which we will honor members who’ve been nominated by their sisters, and many more events on the horizon.

Beyond that, we give our members regular support through our Professional Mentoring Program, in which people like you can join and mentor these women as they navigate new challenges and learn about what it means to be a part of the professional world.

Most of all, we are grateful that we are able to provide ongoing support to current members and alumni no matter the ups-and-downs of their lives. By donating, you can directly contribute to making a difference in a young woman’s life, and we hope you consider that as we all reflect on how we can support ourselves and others during mental health awareness month.

The rest of 2024 is going to be exciting and jam-packed, we can’t wait to have you along for the ride!

What We’ve Been Up To:

The time has come! Our Sweet Sixteen is coming up quickly and we want you there! Please join us for a special weekend as we celebrate 16 years of empowering youth and women across the nation at the Waldorf Astoria in Orlando, Florida.

This is not just a celebration, but a testament to the incredible impact we've made since 2008 alongside workshops that will live you impacted and restored. Your support and advocacy thus far have been pivotal to our success, and we look forward to honoring this milestone with you. Get your early bird discounted tickets through May 31st. Early bird discount is automatically applied.

Chapter of The Month:

This month we are featuring the BSLS University of Florida Chapter, which has been working on making a difference in its community through fundraising and building up their sisters via special Instagram spotlights. We honor their spirit and commitment to their broader community.

Don’t Forget:

As we prepare for our Sweet Sixteen, we still need your help to continue meeting our goals and grow throughout the year. With your donations we can continue to grow our community and create a safe space for our community members.

Putting a face to where donations go can be hard sometimes, so this month we wanted to feature one of our members and show you just who benefits from your support.

This month we are featuring a member who has embodied our values and whose membership has meant so much to her chapter at Warren Easton Charter High School that she was nominated as a member of the month!

Thank you for reading our latest newsletter, and don’t forget to follow along on socials in between newsletters!

10 Mental Health Tips:

Here are some practical tips to help maintain mental health and wellness in our daily lives, whether at school, work, or home:

• Practice positive thinking and focus on the good aspects of your day.

• Keep a journal to track your thoughts and feelings.

• Identify stressors and develop coping strategies such as time management and prioritization.

• Engage in hobbies and activities that bring you joy and relaxation.

• Create a relaxing bedtime routine to wind down.

• If working from home, create a dedicated workspace to separate work from personal life.

• Take regular breaks to move around and rest your mind.

• Plan balanced meals that include a variety of nutrients.

• Avoid excessive caffeine and sugar, which can impact mood and energy levels.

• Don’t hesitate to reach out to friends, family, or a therapist if you need to talk.